@Coty B LunnExcellent info!

Would hate for you to get to the same situation as we did where we paid hundreds for appraisal, let our bridge loan tick away for weeks leading up to refinance, and only find out this info at the end of the process where we get our rates switched on us.

Why not just find a high yield savings account or invest it in the stock market?

David thanks for the great info. 

Thanks @Chris Seveney for the info.

I've been using a website called "area vibes" has alot of detailed info on any neighborhood you need, like the demographics, crime, schools, it rates everything using a grading system.

This advice has saved me 5 star reviews on more than one occasion.

Deals are made, not found, right now.That's why I (and others) genuinely think you might be more successful in a higher cost market that you can spend time in, rather than a random, "lower cost" market thousands of miles away where you find something that looks nice on Zillow, spend all your savings on it... and then it needs a big rehab you weren't aware of, and you're negative $27K in year 1. 

Thank you for all your info, you all have been so incredibly helpful and I really appreciate all the feedback.

DM me your contact info so we can talk.